Albania is very interested in the stability of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and considers it very important for stability in the region. It has offered it economic cooperation and all facilities for transport destined for that country. But I want to stress that it is essential to reach a compromise agreement between this Republic and Greece, and I think there is room for compromise, President Berisha told the British Ambassador, Sir Patrick Fairweather, at their meeting today.

Crvenkovski met in Tirana with President Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, as well as with Sereq[in?], a spokesperson for the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Crvenkovski met in Tirana with President Sali Berisha, Prime Minister Aleksander Meksi, as well as with Sereqin[?], a spokesperson for the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The two delegations examined bilateral issues and exchanged views on the crisis in the former Yugoslavia and in the Balkans, according to the spokesperson. “Albania is very interested in Macedonia’s stability the Albanian president declared in a press statement distributed en t’janë[?]. He added that Albania would offer Macedonia “its economic cooperation” and “all transport facilities destined for that country”. “However, I must stress that Macedonia and Greece need to reach an agreement. A compromise is necessary, and we believe there is a possibility of achieving it,” he said.

—Albania in first place in Europe— As has been reported in the press, the Director of the IMF, Mr. Michel Camdessy, has declared that “Albania, whose situation less than two years ago was exceedingly serious, had the fastest economic growth in Europe in 1993, at a growth rate of around 10 percent. Its growth is expected to continue this year. Who would have expected this in 1991?” It is true: perhaps even the most optimistic, the most enthusiastic, and the most dream-filled would not have imagined this reality, such growth, the fastest in Europe, at a rate of nearly 10 percent. Yet it has come to pass; it has become a reality thanks to democracy, the free initiative of the Albanian, democratic economic reforms, a sound policy pursued by the Democratic Party and all genuinely democratic forces, the government of Mr. Meksi, the democratic laws approved by the People’s Assembly, and all the efforts and sacrifices made by everyone for this day and for those still to come. This reality brings joy to every honest Albanian, warms our homes and our hearts, fills us with confidence in the justice of the path we have chosen and are following resolutely, and gives us the strength to see more clearly the prospects for every citizen, every fellow citizen, and the entire people and nation. The progress of democratic Albania also delights our friends and allies everywhere in the world: all those states and peoples, all those democratic governments, all those international organizations, agencies and charitable associations that have given unstinting and generous assistance so that the Albanian people could pass through the years of transition with as little pain as possible, and endure the unavoidable difficulties it entails; so that Albania could rise to its feet as soon as possible from the ruins left by the dictatorship, from the poverty and absolute misery of an overturned world. This reality will surely also have a positive effect on foreign investors, who will find a more solid basis for their investments and further assurance that these investments will be fruitful for the Albanian people and for the investors themselves. In this respect, Albania’s economic growth cannot but be a shared joy for vni and them. Things are different for the disappointed ones, the owls of misery and Enverist dictatorship, those who have preached and continue to preach nothing but gloom, terror, killings, poverty and ruin; those who wished for these wounds so they could feed on them like hyenas, with on them like hyenas, with nation. We, the people of Albania, a democratic state, have filled ourselves with love for every sign and privileges. Things are different with “ZP”, with “KI”, and all their sisters: the freedom and happiness of Albanians, democracy, and the prosperity of the homeland and the Albanians stick in their throats like a hard bone. They remain silent as if in mourning, because they are covered in gloom, because the joys of democracy and its consolidation mean the end of their masters, of the world they defend, and the end of their lies and deceptions. To these creatures we can simply say: “Be disappointed, o you disappointed!” Stop lying, you anti-reformists; you have been exposed. Albania, once first in bread [production?], is now first in economic growth. What else will you say now, you deceivers and breed of deceivers?! No more than two or three years ago, Albania was a Fourth World country, an earthly hell; now it is mounting the podium as a European [recommender?], recognized as such throughout the world. Albania, which under the dictatorship ate its own flesh, left skin and bones, now not only takes first place but promises to continue climbing further this year. Albania’s economic growth at such levels testifies to the strong foundations of democracy in our country and to its rapid and continuing consolidation. It also demonstrates the very nature of the political and social system established here after the overthrow of the dictatorship, and the possibilities offered by the reality it brings. The nostalgics and heralds of the dictatorship sang, and used to sing, hymns to the dictatorship’s destruction, presenting it as a magnificent achievement. Today they portray democracy as dictatorship and its achievements—unprecedented in Albanian life and envied by others who have been in comparable positions—as misery and poverty! They are accustomed to seeing reality through red or black glasses; they know no other events and cannot accept them. Yet, despite their myopia, Albanian reality has burst into all the colors of freedom and democracy and is enjoying, very quickly, the fruits long awaited and aspired to for decades and centuries. In this climate, these fruits will surely become healthier. At such rates, Albania will surely soon feel worthy of comparison with the other members of the European and world democratic family to which it belongs. All that is needed is work, democracy, and lighjeshmeri. Albania and the Albanians have understood this, and are understanding it ever better. to see the outlook more clearly, [and] to feed on them like hyenas; such levels demonstrate solid foundations [unclear]. This accusation is supported, but it is the court that will determine the defendant’s position, whether he is guilty. We, as the prosecution, bring the public accusation, and I am explaining here that the actions of the defendant Nano are connected to one another like the links of a chain, completing a carefully devised plan. The file will be examined by the judges … to conduct the trial, case. I am not in a position to determine how long it will take, since that falls within the court’s jurisdiction. As for the file, it has today been forwarded to the court. 7. 55.8 069.4 00.1 56.2 188.9 1579 65. 55.8 115.4 853. 1010 904. 1037 44.7 49.2 57.0

—Mr. Qeleshi, the investigations into the corruption case involving Italian food aid in 1991 have been completed. The results of these investigations have prompted much discussion in Albanian political circles and in the press. Can you say why these investigations took so long? —I must say that the investigation of this criminal case was conducted in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. As for the length of the period, I should say that when I was appointed prosecutor of Tirana, the investigation of this case had begun only a few days earlier. I immediately organized the investigation teams, identifying the main areas of work on the criminal case, with a team of investigators and a team leader. It is true that the case took a long time, but this was mainly due to the execution of a number of investigative actions, such as inspection reports and the gathering of various documents; all of these made the duration of the case lengthy. —According to your spokesperson’s announcement, former Prime Minister Fatos Nano is accused of large-scale misappropriation of state property. Do you have sufficient evidence for this charge? —In this case, I will say that we not only have sufficient evidence, but complete evidence supporting this charge. However, it is the court that will decide the defendant’s position and whether he is guilty. As the prosecution, we bring the public charge, and I will explain here that the actions of the defendant Nano relate to twenty-three thousand and three hundredare[?] lekë, implementing a plan mentioned in connection with the efforts of other collaborators to create illicit gains and misappropriate this sum of 23 billion lire offered by the Italian people at a time when Albania was going through difficult moments—a sum which, according to the inspection reports, amounts to 9.4 billion lire. —It has often been said, and your spokesperson’s announcement also says, that former President Ramiz Alia was involved in the corruption concerning Italian aid, together with his son Arben Alia. Why have they not been included in the Nano case? —Apart from those defendants who will be sent to court for trial, there are two other people in our proceedings. One of them is Arben Alia, who at that time held no state functions but helped by making connections through which the instructions given by Pemjola and the requests to create conditions for starting to receive illicit benefits were carried out. We have decided to charge Arben Alia as a defendant and have selected a security measure, but this decision has not been communicated because this defendant has left. There are other people with him who, in the future, will be subject to investigations in relation to this charge, and [unclear]. —Is the case file being sent to the court, and when might this trial begin? —As for the beginning of the trial, the relevant judge who will hear the case will study the file, and we as the prosecution are ready to present the case. I am not in a position to say how long it will take, as that falls within the court’s authority. As for the file, it was sent to the court today.

Opposition political parties, malicious and aggressive to the point of hysteria toward the PD out of jealousy and careerism , air their views through the propaganda outlets at their disposal, but it is also the right of mercy under the drastic, inhumane feet of many of those who complain today that the state is torturing them. How can one think of or call for early elections without calculating their consequences?

The malicious and hysterically aggressive opposition parties toward the Democratic Party (PD), driven by the jealousy and pathological careerism of their power-hungry leaders, have taken a “crooked” position. In the interests of the country and for their own good, they should sincerely and realistically demonstrate their commitment to the success of the reform and to emerging as quickly as possible from the crisis inherited from the Enverian dictatorship. It is understood that the pages, however historic, cannot be sterile or perfect, but they should be reflected upon consciously and fairly, thereby dispelling pessimism and opening promising windows of opportunity. But the opposite is happening with our opposition. It is trying with all its might and means to “darken” this “page of history,” which is being written amid bitter political and financial struggles. “ZP,” “Koha Jonë,” “Aleanca,” and their like have become obedient mouthpieces for the whims of their incurably power-hungry and careerist leaders and parties. Every opposition has the right to express its opinion through the propaganda means at its disposal, but it is also a humane and democratic human right that should lead each of them to promote what is good and “goodwill,” optimism rather than pessimism and fatalism, democratic culture rather than the culture of the street, and so on. Politicians and journalists of this ilk “forget” what we felt and experienced for 47 years: the queues and long, endless nights for meat, milk, eggs, etc.; the trials and tribulations of obtaining a permit for a washing machine or a TV, with which not only the shops but also the streets of our cities are now filled; the “filth” involved in getting a permit for an apartment or a work assignment. We must remind these chronic, unjustified whiners of the horrors of the class struggle, of the ragged peasant who sold his collective labor for 5 lekë and went without even a drop of milk as a result of collectivization, herd farming, and the division into fields. We have also seen religious objects, icons, and relics smashed mercilessly under the brutal, inhuman feet of those who now complain that the democratic state is torturing them—many of them “earned diplomas for these ‘wonders.’” We have seen—oh, what we have seen! May our eyes never see such things again! The Democratic Party, the Meksi Government, and President Berisha deserve applause precisely for bringing down these “walls” of oppression—even from you gentlemen who have taken a crooked position. We all want to do more and do better in some things; the democratic officials in power want this more than anyone. The opposition’s destructiveness, as a confusing and disorienting phenomenon, not only “erases” with a red pencil all the achievements made under conditions of scarcity in every respect, but reaches such a level of superficiality and absurdity that it describes the incumbent government as “…a mafia gang… a pathologically sick state… this state is heading toward violence…” (outbursts lifted from “KJ”). These cries, with “nostalgia,” fuel anti-Albanian tensions and even democratic currents. How can one contemplate and call for early elections without calculating their consequences and the “whys” behind them? How can “ZP” and its sister publications contemplate such an adventure when even many honest Socialists say they oppose calls for early elections and argue that the Socialist Party (PS) has not yet distanced itself from E. Hoxha and the socialist dictatorship? Hope-destroying, destabilizing journalists, those who have become the “generals’” lackeys and “dream” of sitting once again in the red chairs, where they signed dozens of anti-communist and inhuman orders and documents, dream of restoring once again the paradise they enjoyed for nearly 50 years. These modern generals and lackeys, trying to create [unclear] and pour water into their ruined mill, are becoming quite ridiculous by “lamenting” the people’s plight. The people have now lost their “horse,” and have decided to follow the road they have chosen to the end, and to arrive wherever their good heart desires. ENVER PLAKU

Socialist Party press conference The closer the day of Fatos Nano’s trial came, the more PS officials came forward to defend their leader. After the many political spectacles organized by the PS and inspired by the daily editor of “ZP” to proclaim his innocence, another press conference was held yesterday on the topic “On the latest ruling in Nano’s trial.” In their statements to the press, Messrs. Dule and Hajdaraga once again argued that Nano was guilty, saying that “Nano himself has been morally acquitted, especially as a committee of directors.” When journalists asked which committees were meant, [unclear text]—like those of Fatos Nano and his lawyer at the trial—[unclear text] what the latter had done, they were told that this was in yesterday’s interview with “ZP,” where Mr. Nano “in interpretation condemns the government…” [The source text is unclear and incomplete here.] Besides this, [unclear text about property/wealth]… Asked whether they were prejudging the Nano case, Mr. Dokle replied: “We are not prejudging the court.” Yet in the same answer he called the court prejudged by those who continue to say: “If Fatos Nano is convicted, this will be a boomerang for the PD.” In other words, according to Mr. Dokle, the PD should feel [unclear] in the courts if Fatos Nano is acquitted. But is the PD allowed to do this in a trial, to say more than is warranted by the circumstances and the cause, and what would happen if it were in power? Under the laws of today’s democratic state, the judicial bodies are independent. Asked by a journalist whether they had faith in justice and, if so, why they were prejudging the courts, Mr. Dokle replied: “We have asked that Fatos Nano be tried while at liberty.” This makes it seem as though the person is being undermined. But if Nano really is innocent, why should we not wait for his innocence to be demonstrated in court…? Can’t this question be answered freely?! This question cannot be answered. Faced with these empty arguments, he shifted from the Nano issue to the political struggle against the PD. “The PD is in a crisis of ideas,” Mr. Dokle declared, and in the same breath he contradicted himself again when he said, “The PD gives us very wise advice,” referring to a [unclear] by Mr. Meksi that “the PS is not a constructive opposition…” Mr. Dokle presented the government’s mission as criticism rather than offering an alternative for development. Mr. Dokle himself was honest when he said: “We have seen an authoritarian spirit in our position of destructiveness, and now we have begun to offer alternatives.” It must be said that amid all this propaganda noise made by the PS and its mouthpiece “ZP,” as they trumpet that Fatos Nano is innocent, there is a distortion of a truth enshrined in law: all defendants are considered innocent until they appear in court. I say that such distortions for political gain are dishonest and consequently show a lack of respect for the electorate as well, since it wants to know the truth about the Nano case. So, gentlemen, PS leaders, if you truly have faith in the court, let it deliver justice. Psychological pressure through your leader’s “ZP,” press conferences, party orders, or any other means is unacceptable in the judicial bodies of a democratic state. ZEF LLESHI

The PPD Information Service reports: “After the successful conclusion of the Congress of the Party for Democratic Prosperity, at which its Central Council and Central Presidency were constituted, the authorities began the process of constituting the party’s legal and legitimate bodies. Immediately after the congress, two police officers and an inspector from the Tetovo Interior Affairs body, without an authorized decision, demanded that the PPD’s seals be handed over. Since the demand was both absurd and politically harmful to the proper conduct of political life within the party, their handover was refused. On February 16, a letter from the Tetovo Municipal Court arrived at the PPD headquarters, requesting interim measures for the seizure of the seals and the vacating of the party headquarters’ offices. All this was done at the request of MP Xheladin Murati, who, strangely, had signed it ‘in the capacity of…’. We consider that this is an attempt to restrict the political activity of the PPD and its legitimate bodies. This suggests that the self-proclaimed chairman, Xheladin Murati, tried to legitimize himself and his organization through the judicial bodies and not through the will of the PPD membership. We consider that such an action is insulting to the broad membership of the PPD, since this case is unprecedented in the PPD’s political practice,” the PPD Information Service statement said.

PDSH Chairman Mr. Eduard Selami attends Yesterday in Tirana, the Second National Conference of the FRPDSH held its proceedings. In addition to delegates and guests from all over Albania, the chairman of the PDSH, Mr. Eduard Selami, also took part in the conference. The proceedings of the Second National Conference of the PD Youth Forum were opened by Ms. Ada Hysa. The main report was then delivered by Afrim Krasniqi, a member of the FRPDSH Presidency. The conference was also greeted by the Social Democratic Youth Forum, the Youth Forum of the Politically Persecuted and Pursued, etc. Then, amid chants of “Long live democracy” and youthful enthusiasm, PDSH Chairman Mr. Eduard Selami delivered his greeting. The discussion session was opened by Mr. Lorenc Ligori, a member of the FRPDSH Presidency. B. Ahmetaj, Gj. Progrit, I. Dizdari, M. Gjonomaj, A. Zeneli, and others spoke afterward. At a special session, [a resolution was] adopted. (Continued on page 4)

MR. NANO IS DRAWING HIS SWORD ONCE AGAIN OVER THE SITUATION ... RAKA MR. NANO IS DRAWING HIS SWORD ONCE AGAIN OVER THE SITUATION ...

FOLLOWING THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PDSH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 200 NEW MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE PD BRANCH IN KUÇOVË, 32 OF WHOM HAVE A HIGHER EDUCATION.